Over the past year or more, the Santa Maria Valley community has joined the world in working to defeat a global pandemic while simultaneously sustaining local businesses that drive the area’s economy, employ local residents, and provide for the quality-of-life elements of the community.

In emerging from those challenges, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber believes it is time to turn its efforts back to the longer-term issues that will enable or prevent the vitality of the Santa Maria Valley going forward.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber Board is looking for comments from local businesses and residents to help determine where the organization focuses its efforts in the next few years that will have the greatest impact possible on the community.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and look ahead to the future for the Santa Maria Valley, we see so much potential, but also recognize there are issues in our community that the chamber can play a critical role in addressing,” said Glenn Morris, president/CEO of Santa Maria Valley Chamber.

“As a convener of leaders, champion for the community, and catalyst for business activity, the chamber is often in a strong position to bring people together to find and implement solutions,” he said.

Community members are encouraged to take the chamber’s brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMVCommunityInput2021.

“We often hear local residents talk about issues they see in our community or changes they want to make,” said Edgar Gascon, chamber board chair. “This survey is an opportunity for our community to have these concerns heard and help shape our organization’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond.

“It is important for us to hear from our community on what they see as areas of needed improvement, so we can determine where to best focus our efforts in the coming years.”

The survey is open through April 30; all Santa Maria Valley residents are encouraged to participate.